August’s reading of the SBEI – which is historically positive – represents the first negative reading in five months and reflects small business owners’ faltering optimism going into fall.

1. WWW.CBIZ.COM
Small business owners are feeling the ripple effect of global economies in transition. Though
August is a historically positive month, this negative reading is fairly significant as we head
into fall. As negative market news continues to make headlines, it seems that small business
owners are proceeding with caution and taking pause in terms of hiring.
PHILIP NOFTSINGER — Business unit president for CBIZ Payroll Services
AUGUST AT A GLANCE
28 percent of companies included in the SBEI
reduced headcount, 22 percent increased payroll
commitments, and 50 percent made no change to
their employee totals.
NO
CHANGE
DECREASED
STAFFING
INCREASED
STAFFING
50%
22%
28%
% CHANGE TO EE COUNT FOR REPORTING PERIOD
OCT.2014
JUNE2015
AUG.2015
SEPT.2014
NOV.2014
JAN.2015
MAY2015
DEC.2014
FEB.2015
MAR.2015
APR.2015
-1.04%
-2.71%
1.22%
-1.82%
-.17%
-0.69%
0.56%
1.17%
0.81%
1.36%
JULY2015
0.22%
-0.78%